Awards and Honors

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology and its departments of Biochemistry, Cell & Developmental Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular & Integrative Physiology recognize outstanding undergraduate, graduate, faculty, staff, and alumni with several awards and fellowships. In addition to school and departmental honors, MCB is always thrilled to highlight awards from other campus units, and national/international organizations. Some of the most recent news stories spotlighting our community are listed below. 

Headshot of Nicole Park

MCB alumna offered Fulbright award

13 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students and recent graduates, including an alumna from the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, were offered Fulbright grants to pursue international education, research and teaching experiences around the globe this coming year. Another six...
Students stand on stage to accept awards.

MCB celebrates student achievements at awards ceremony

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology honored undergraduate and graduate students at its annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 4, at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center. 
Wide exterior shot of the Beckman Institute on a summer day.

Beckman Institute announces 2023 fellowship, award recipients

Twelve students have been selected to receive 2023 Beckman Institute fellowships and awards. The awards, which fund interdisciplinary research that takes place over the summer, will be celebrated at a poster session on July 28, 2023.
The 2023 cohort of the Beckman Institute Postdoctoral Fellows Program (from left): Kelly Powderly; Patricia Cintora; Zhengchang Kou; Yannan Hu; Zane Thornburg; and Alejandro De la Cadena. They are standing outside in a group with arms folded, smiling for the camera.

Members of MCB labs earn newly-established fellowships focused on cancer research

The Beckman Institute has announced its 2023 class of six postdoctoral fellows. Fellows are selected in accordance with the core values of the institute: excellence, collaboration, integrity, transdisciplinarity, exploration, and diversity.
Whitaker speaks at the podium while a screen titled "Investiture of Rachel Whitaker" shows a picture of her and a cutout photo of Alma.

Rachel J. Whitaker named Harry E. Preble Professor

For Rachel J. Whitaker, life tends to feel like it’s all hands on deck.  Whitaker, a professor of microbiology, spends much of her time researching the evolution of archaea, bacteria, and viruses in the natural and clinical world—so...
Diana Brown cheers on the volleyball court.

Diana Brown Named 2023 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award Recipient

Illinois setter Diana Brown was named one of two recipients for the Big Ten Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award, the conference office announced Wednesday. Brown, who majored in molecular and cellular biology, was awarded a $10,000 postgraduate scholarship for her achievements in academics, athletics,...
Exterior shot of the School of MCB's Chemical & Life Sciences Building during summertime.

School of MCB celebrates undergraduate student achievements

The School of MCB is proud to recognize research and academic achievements of its undergraduate students. The following December 2022 graduates earned Highest Distinction for Research in the School of MCB: Emma Ibanez, PI: Dr. Justin Rhodes The following students earned...
Alma Mater is all ready for the holidays with a winter scarf, ear muffs and holiday lights. Her garb is completed with a mask during this era of COVID-19.

School of MCB recognizes contributions of faculty, staff, grad students

The School of MCB is proud to recognize its stellar faculty and staff for their valuable contributions to the research and instructional missions of the school. At the 2022 Holiday Celebration, MCB director Milan Bagchi, Deborah Paul Professor of Molecular & Cellular Biology, gave awards in...
Outdoor shot of Lincoln Hall

College of LAS announces named scholars

Several professors, including two from the School of MCB's Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, have recently received named scholar positions for their contributions to research, education, and the academic mission of the College of LAS.
Govindjee at work in his office.

Govindjee receives Lifetime Achievement Award for photosynthesis research

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign plant biology professor emeritus Govindjee is a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society of Photosynthesis Research, an honor he shares with Eva-Mari Aro, a professor emeritus of molecular plant biology at the University of...